“I don’t lose my cool that often.”
He gave her a sideways glance. “You did last night.”
“Wouldn’t you have?”
“Yes. Anyway, the reason for your concern last night was this story, which gives us a problem. How to find Angela.”
“Her brother would be my first contact.”
“The twin? Okay. Do you know where he is?”
“Yes. He’s on the streets around Yonge and College.”
“Homeless?”
She nodded.
“Great friends you have, Serena. Angela could be on the streets as well.”
“If she is, then everything will tie in together with City Streets.”
“True. Okay. Let’s go look for the brother.”
Serena walked with Nick through the afternoon crowds until they reached the area that Max Turner inhabited. This time Serena saw him. He was wearing the same battered straw hat she’d seen him in the first time.
Serena felt Nick touch her elbow, as if he wanted to prevent her from running over to Max, and the tilt to her stomach at his touch made her realize that she would never be able to lose her reaction to him. He’d always be with her, even if they never made love. “That’s him. He looks like his sister. But I never realized they were twins before. It sort of explains a lot.”
“Like what,” Nick asked.
“Oh, the reason she was so upset when Max went to prison and why she visited him all the time. Twins are close. And her parents had split up, her father remarried or something. Her mother moved away. They were a completely estranged family except for Max and Angela.”
Nick let go of her elbow to throw some change into the cardboard box at Max’s feet and asked if he was Max Turner.
“Yup.” The man didn’t move from his position on the sidewalk against the wall. He held his guitar and strummed a few chords. Then he glanced up at Serena and frowned. “Don’t I know you?”
“I’m Serena Brown. A friend of Angela’s.”
The frown deepened. “Yeah?”
“I went to university with her. You and I met a couple of times at parties.”
“Okay. I think I remember. Do you want me or Angela?”
“I’d like to get back in touch with Angela.”
He shrugged. “She comes here sometimes to see me.”
Serena felt excitement rise inside her. She wasn’t going to lose this story. She’d show Nick she was as good as any journalist he’d met. “Any particular day?”
He pushed back his hat with his hand so it perched on his dark curls and she saw the good looking man he could be. “No. She just appears sometimes. I don’t do days or time.”
Serena noticed Nick smile at this. “Where does she live?” she asked.
“Somewhere in the country near Niagara Falls. I can’t help you more than that. I’ve never been there. She’s married.”
“She got married.” Serena’s relief that Angela wasn’t on the streets was evident in her voice. “That’s great, Max.” But she also wondered why Angela didn’t help out her brother. Surely Angela could have him stay with her to enable him to find a job. She was aware that a fixed address was necessary to find employment.
“Who did she marry?”
He scrunched his forehead. “I don’t know his name.”
Serena squatted to Max’s level. “You don’t know who your sister married?”
“Nope.”
Serena felt Nick’s hand press down on her shoulder. She wasn’t quite sure what the pressure meant. “Do you know when she got married?”
Max’s dark eyes met hers. “I don’t remember. I just know, she said she got married and she moved down to Niagara Falls. She doesn’t tell me much. She buys me lunch and gives me money.”
“But she doesn’t offer for you to go and live with her?”
“No. And I don’t want to. I like it here.”
Sure you do. “Okay, Max. Thanks.” She rose to her feet.
Nick put a twenty in the box this time. “Thanks, Max.”
“He does know who she married,” Nick said as they walked back to Steel.
Serena had to pace herself at quite a clip to keep up with him. “Not necessarily. He could have forgotten. He’s not in great shape. At least I’ve got an idea where she lives. Except she might have changed her name.”
“A lot of women don’t these days, so you might be in luck. Anyhow, we can use Max for City Streets. There is a lot of desperation in that man’s eyes.”
Serena stopped suddenly. “I might need Max in my story.”
Nick reached for her hand and made her walk beside him once more. “You mentioned yourself we need continuity, and Max will give us a continuing character.”
Serena felt as if she were attached to a rope as Nick led her through the rushing late lunch crowds with a firm grip on her hand. “Turn our program into a soap opera, why don’t you?”
“You mentioned tying in subject matter with each program.”
“Only if Angela was in the same predicament as her brother, which she’s not.”
“No. She’s married and that might be a problem for you. She might not want to talk about an ex-lover.”
“I don’t think he was a lover. What can you do with a guy who is in prison?”
“He might have got out.”
“You’re intent on thinking everyone gets out, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Because guys do get out. Unless they’re really gruesome murderers. From all accounts this man’s case sounded a bit iffy.”
Serena tried to unclasp her fingers from his but he gripped them firmly. “You don’t think I should do this, do you?”
“I’m not saying that. But you’re very emotionally attached to the story and you could be disappointed.”
“If it doesn’t go, it doesn’t go. I won’t mind.”
“I’m not so sure about that. I think you really want to prove something with this story.”
She did. She wanted to prove to Nick she was worthy of being Stuart Redding Brown’s daughter. But she wasn’t going to tell him that.
Nick glanced at her. “Rita’s right. You have more of your father in you than you care to admit.”
“What’s my father got to do with any of this?”
“Your father has everything to do with everything you are. Rita said it all.”
“Why are we making this personal?”
“Because this story of yours is personal, and it’s making you touchy about it.”
They came to a red light and had to stop walking to let the traffic pass. They stood side by side, hand in hand on the curb. Serena was breathing hard. She wanted to lash out at Nick with her hands and words, while at the same time she wanted him to hold her in his arms the way he had last Monday evening after the elevator got stuck.
Chapter Twelve
“We’ll go to Studio Three and look at the work you did with John now,” Nick said as they walked into the Steel Tower.
Serena groaned. “Can’t you leave work for a few hours? I want to go home. I haven’t been there all week. Pascal’s likely thinking I’ve deserted him. And I have no more changes of clothes left.”
“Okay, go home, but we have to work sometime over the weekend.”
“Not tonight, Napoleon. I’m bushed. Sorry.”
Nick had to admit she looked tired. Her hair was blown by the wind from their hurried race down
Yonge Street, and her features looked a little strained. Was he being too hard on her? “Okay. We’ll take the weekend off.” “Thank you very much.” She walked to the stair entrance. “I have to get my things, and I’m off.”
Nick watched the heavy door close on her. Then, with his hands shoved deeply in his pockets, he left the Steel Tower. He walked briskly to the parking lot, trying to ignore the voice inside him that said he was in love with Serena. He must be if leaving her, even for a couple of days, was agony.
He climbed into his car and drove to his parents’ place. But as he sat in t
he car by the curb he realized he wasn’t up to arguing with them today, so he continued on until he was home. He didn’t think the car engine sounded too great but he didn’t feel like dealing with it right now either. He went up to his apartment, flung himself, still in his jacket, down on the sofa and picked up the remote control for the TV.
He surfed his way through a lot of late afternoon TV programs that meant nothing to him. He’d been away from North America too long to know the programs and he’d never watched afternoon TV anyway. He clicked around to Steel and caught Juliette in her newscast. She was a sexy lady, he decided, and he should have gone for her. But how could he do that when he was falling in love with Serena? It was Serena he’d wanted from the word go.
He snapped off the TV. Hell, he couldn’t spend the weekend messing around like this. He felt like he was wasting his life. He got up, ripped off his jacket, and started his computer. He began to work on his Stuart Redding Brown documentary, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Serena. He quit the script and played Spider Solitaire.
Now what was he doing, shuffling a virtual deck of cards? He had loads of work to do at Steel. So get down there, Nick. Go watch John’s footage alone. You don’t need Serena. She’s only a distraction in the dark anyway. He walked over to Steel. As he entered the building, he realized that he was getting used to the buzz and activity in the place. And he really wasn’t unhappy about being here.
He found Studio Three empty and searched the shelves for the City Streets videos. He was part way through one of John’s boring interviews when Paul came in.
Paul pulled up a chair and sat backward on it beside him. “I thought you’d vetoed this stuff.”
“Nah. We’re going to try and improve on it for next week.”
“I’m sure we can improve on it. John never liked to rock too many boats.”
“Well, I do.”
Paul gripped the back of the chair with his hands. “I know you think you’ve rocked my boat because of your treatment of Lise.”
“What treatment? We dated a couple of times. That’s all.”
“Okay. Calm down. I know that now. She told me the truth. I think because she’s getting married soon.”
“That’s great. Congratulate her for me.”
With Lise out of the way between them, Nick was able to work better with Paul. They arranged to go out on Saturday and shoot some more film. Nick was pleased. It kept his weekend busy.
•
Serena thought she was going to have a peaceful weekend at home, but she ended up pacing around most of the time and feeling pretty sorry for herself. She did do some heavy duty gardening on Sunday afternoon, which made her feel better, but she missed Nick when she wasn’t with him. As she dug and hoed the soil she envisioned him dating someone else this weekend.
Monday was a bright, sunny morning and she got to Toronto quickly. She rushed into the tower, ran up the stairs until she was puffing badly, and went into the office suite. The blinds in the boardroom were pulled and Paul, Nick, Cam and Don were watching TV. Serena didn’t bother going to her office first. She went to stand behind the men. She noticed that they were watching material that had some resemblance to the original City Streets.
Nick glanced at her. “Paul and I worked on this over the weekend.”
Serena felt a mixture of relief that he hadn’t been with another woman and anger that he’d gone ahead without her. After all he’d said on Friday about working together and helping her. “That’s nice.” She walked out of the boardroom.
She stormed around in her office. Damn him. If he wasn’t trying to get into bed, he was undermining her working ability. She couldn’t live like this much longer. She’d go mad.
She heard footsteps and expected it to be Nick who came into her office, but it was Don.
“Why aren’t you joining us, Serena?”
“Because he’s gone ahead and done our work without me. He keeps saying we’re supposed to be a team, but he goes off and does what he wants to do anyway.”
“He had time on the weekend. He told me on Sunday that you wanted the weekend off.”
“I did.”
“Well, then.”
“Don’t well then me, Don. It’s your fault we have that guy in the first place.” Serena plunged her hands on to her hips. She’d worn a nice blue wool suit today, with a long jacket and chunky-heeled black shoes, and her hair was upswept. She didn’t know who she had meant to impress.
To her surprise, Don chuckled. “He’s really got to you. I admire him for that.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re taking everything personally, which to me says that you have an emotional investment in Nick.”
“Emotional investment?”
“You know what I mean, Serena.” He chuckled again. “Now come and help us with this. We need another eye. I hope you notice that Nick has preserved all your interviews. They were excellent.”
Despite this positive aspect, Serena still spent the day feeling as if someone had wired her up and was pulling on the wires. She had a splitting headache by evening, but she drove home and fell into bed, trusting that by Thursday she’d be in better shape for the second installment of Neon Nights.
Serena had to admit that, after Nick’s hand had stirred the editing pot, the City Streets episode had changed into a visual outpouring of humor and angst. Serena understood the control Nick desired over his programs, but she also noticed that the technicians weren’t too happy with his input. They thought they knew their jobs. Well, they did, but Serena had to admit, Nick had an eye for direction, and he had left in all her best work. Cam must have noticed Nick’s talent as well, because he didn’t interfere, and Thursday evening proved to be another popular show.
When they went out on Friday morning with a crew, to put some finishing touches to another segment of City Streets, Serena found it a relief to be going into the weekend knowing next Thursdays’ programming was just about ready to go.
After a street shoot with Max Turner, they returned to the news van, and Fred drove back to Steel. Paul, who sat next to Serena in the back, stuffed something into Serena’s jacket pocket.
“From Max,” he whispered. “You know, the street guitarist?”
Serena slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a blank sealed envelope. “I know who.” She had the feeling that whatever was inside the envelope was important, and she didn’t want to see what it was in the crowded van, especially with Nick in the front seat. Already he had turned his head slightly with curiosity. She pushed the envelope into her purse.
But as soon as she was back in her own office she slit open the envelope. There was a note inside. Hi, Serena, Max told me you’d been in touch. If you want to come down to visit, Saturday afternoons are good. Love, Angela.
Angela had written her phone number at the bottom and Serena smiled broadly to herself as she reached for her phone and punched out Angela’s number. If she could see Angela this Saturday her story would be underway.
The phone rang twice, and then it was picked up. “Hello.”
It was Angela’s voice. Serena moistened her dry lips with her tongue. “Angela, Serena. Max gave me your number. I’d love to see you.”
“Me too. I know it’s short notice but is tomorrow all right?
“Tomorrow is fine. Tell me where you live.”
With directions to Angela’s house now in her possession, Serena felt excited, and went into Nick’s office to brag that she’d got her story. He was wearing black jeans and a white shirt that he wore when they interviewed on the streets and Serena thought his features appeared contained and irritated. Serena was getting tired of the distance he seemed intent on putting between them, so she spoke in a positive upbeat manner. “Max gave me Angela’s phone number. I’ve talked to her and I’m visiting her tomorrow afternoon.”
She saw the glimmer of a smile on his face. “That’s great. We’ll drive down together.”
“I thought going alone the firs
t time would be best.”
“Why? What did you hope to achieve?”
She pushed her hands into her pockets. “I don’t know. Maybe her confidence.”
“You’ll either get it or you won’t. My presence won’t make much difference. Besides, we haven’t got all year to work on one story. We’re under the gun to produce.”
“I know. Okay. Pick me up from my house?”
“Fine. Now I’m going home for some rest.”
“And I’ve got some shopping to do.” She had planned on shopping today. She hadn’t been near a clothes store in months, and her wardrobe was beginning to feel empty.
He unhooked his jacket. “Have fun, then.”
“I will.” Serena stood in his office until she heard the door of the suite thud shut. Go shopping. Get out of here. Take a break.
Serena purchased a pair of exquisitely soft black leather pants, a bomber jacket to match, and a new white silk blouse. She definitely had Nick in mind as she stared at her blonde and black leather reflection in the changing room mirrors. Would he like this vision of her? She tucked her hair up on her head and affected a sexy pose in the mirror. Why don’t you find out? Take what you want. Now. While you have the chance. You might regret it forever if you don’t.
•
Nick parked the Steel News Van in Serena’s driveway. Serena didn’t want this interference from him but she was going to get it. He jumped from the van, slammed the door and walked under the trellis. He felt the same excitement he’d experienced the night of Don’s party. He’d been so cocky about his achievement of overcoming his childhood traumas and becoming a hard-edged journalist. Serena had brought him down to basics. He was so much in love with her he couldn’t think straight.
He saw Pascal first and stopped to greet him. Pascal began to purr when he remembered Nick. The cat’s reaction brightened Nick up. If her cat liked him, then eventually she might like him as well.
He rapped on her sunroom door and saw the shadow of her walk through the jungle of plant life to open the door for him.
The sight of her in black leather made his entire insides throb. There was a different attitude about her today as she moistened her lips.
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